Standing proudly at the corner of Swanston and Collins Streets, the Melbourne Town Hall has been the city’s civic heart since opening in 1870. Designed by Joseph Reed in the French Second Empire style, this iconic venue has hosted everything from political debates to cultural celebrations.
The Town Hall wasn’t just about politics — it was also the hub of Melbourne’s social life. The opening was celebrated with a grand concert and mayoral ball hosted by Mayor Samuel Amess, complete with a commissioned cantata by composer Charles Horsley and poet Henry Kendall. These mayoral balls quickly became the must-attend event for Melbourne’s elite.
As Melbourne's premier concert venue, the Town Hall played host to the debut of Nellie Melba in 1884, and it became the regular stage for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Even the Beatles received a reception here in 1964, although their raucous fans left the council a little shaken! The grand organ, installed in 1872 for £7350, was a centrepiece of public recitals, while regular film screenings delighted audiences until the 1930s. The Town Hall also made cinematic history as the venue for the world’s first narrative film, "Soldiers of the Cross," in 1900.
Today, the Town Hall remains a beloved Melbourne icon, still hosting events, exhibitions, and celebrations.
